Students will observe simple plants, develop an investigable question, and form an investigation. They will document their investigation in their science notebooks.
This activity is a guided inquiry investigation where students gather data on which soil is the best for growing plants. Student will interpret their data, and develop a conclusion from the data. The student will determine which type of soil they would like to use in the next activity of making their own terrariums. The data collected could lead to further questions, which can be investigated in some extension activities.
In this biology investigation, students will make observations of the growth of bean seeds to determine what plants need to live and grow in a healthy way.
At this site from National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis you will find the answers to many questions about biomes. You will also find a listing of biomes along with a detailed explanation of each.
This NetLogo model of leaf photosynthesis shows the macroscopic outcome of the reaction.
This is a classroom activity where students will make plant rubbings and plant pressings of Minnesota plants.
This article highlights lessons that help K-grade 5 students understand that animals and plants can only survive in certain environments.The lessons support the theme of an issue of the free online magazine Beyond Weather and the Water Cycle. The theme is "We Depend on Earth's Climate."
A story about making granola. Includes audio narration in six additional languages with text in English.
See how to make a snack of celery, peanut butter, and raisins, often called 'ants on a log.’ Includes audio narration in 18 additional languages with text in English.
Students plant sunflower seeds in plastic cups, and once germinated, expose them to varying light or soil moisture conditions. They measure growth of the seedlings every few days using non-standard measurement (inch cubes). After a few weeks, they compare the growth of plants exposed to the different conditions and make bar comparative graphs, which they analyze to draw conclusions about the needs of plants.
Grow plants in a greenhouse you design and build yourself. Learn about the plant scientists at Brookhaven Lab
Meiosis is the process by which gametes (eggs and sperm) are made. Gametes have only one set of chromosomes. Therefore, meiosis involves a reduction in the amount of genetic material. Each gamete has only half the chromosomes of the original germ cell. Explore meiosis with a computer model of dragons. Run meiosis, inspect the chromosomes, then choose gametes to fertilize. Predict the results of the dragon offspring and try to make a dragon without legs. Learn why all siblings do not look alike.
A comprehensive article on mosses and liverworts.
Read about how plants adapt to survive in different biomes. Includes a song, game, photos, and lesson plans.
At this site from the Missouri Botanical Garden, you can learn about conifers, needles and the taiga in the fall. Click on the pictures to view a larger version.
A young girl makes Navajo tacos with her father in this story. Includes audio narration in 17 additional languages with text in English.
Many species that have been introduced for the purpose of dealing with a problem such as erosion or a rat epidemic, instead become invasive. How can these invasive species be eradicated? Eminent ecologist Dan Simberloff explains some of the strategies that can be used to eliminate invasive species.
Great site providing a "Quickindex" to find various resources. Also included are links to more information on this museum.
In this video from WOSU Columbus, learn about the types of communities of plants, animals, birds and fish that abound in wetlands. [1:25]
In this lesson, the students will build a shelter in order to protect themselves from the rain. After the shelters are built, the class will perform durability and water proof testing on the shelters.